The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-08-27
Srecta1 Contributors.
THE VETERAN AND THE GRADUATE
BY REV. NJ. W. TABOR.
(Terre Haute, Ind.)

(Terre Haute, Ind.)
The "Western New York; CORE
spondent Of the Christian Leader, has
seen fit to suggest recommendation"
which he would have added to the re-
port of Rev. DIR. Sweetser, on the in
crease of our ministry. 1t is as follows:
Eleventhly, let our clergy generally,
and especially the faculties of our theo-
logical seminaries, give their influence
against the prevailing tendency to push
aside the older ministers to make places
for young graduates. The prospect Of
being shelved at the age of fifty or fifty
five is the greatest Encouragement to
thoughtful young men In regard to TAX
ing up the ministry, and has induced
some to change their vocation in the
prime OF their usefulness"
This is another opening of an old
time discussion which it would be well
for all concerned to let die and be for
gotten. 1t is unjust to both parties. l
do not believe for a moment that our
clergy give their influence to the push
ing aside of any minister because he is
aged, in order to give his position
to younger man; and seriously ques-
tion the implication that our Theologi-
cal Schools are engaged in such a work.
With a ministry so small as our own
in numbers, and the many vacancies
that exist, together with the unoccupied
ground awaiting the ehusbandman's COM
ing, it Is preposterous to talk OF push
ingo and "crowding," with ministry
the majority of which is at middle life,
with the years rapidly adding to them
selves. 1t is nonsensical to think that
their influence is given to pushing men
out of the way that younger ones may
take their places. 1t is also unjust to be-
lieve that they thus conspire against the
peace, happiness and comfort of their
fellows. He must be chronic grum-
bier and complainer who asserts such
things.
The facts are, that as much respect,
cordial good will and tender treatment
are accorded to our aged preachers as
to those of any church in Christendom.
They have as strong claim to their
positions and to steady and remunera-
tive employment, as the ministers of
any church, and are as sure of it as men
can be who are outside the pale of
State Church, or the Roman and Greek
priesthood; and if they fail to maintain
themselves after years of active service,
fail to secure and retain employment
it is not too much to say that the fault
is their own and not another's.
Our ministry is proof of this thing
which l assert. Look at partial list
of those who are commonly deemed of
the ranks of the aged: Balch, Sawyer,
Emerson, Demarest, Asa SAKE, Patter-
son, Paige, Nye, Miller, Leonard, Bum,
Barnes, Billings, Clayton, and long
list of those whom space forbids to
name, and who crowds them? What
young man can crowd them, and who
is there of them whom the people are
not glad to hear If they will but speak?
The fact is, to be or not 70 be pushed
aside," lies primarily and entirely in
the minister's own keeping. Ii he keeps
himself alive and earnest, up with the
thought of the day, there is a demand
for him. If, however, he sees fit to
bury himself in the things of the past,
to take it easy because in former years
he has labored and he deems the time
of respite has come; if he deliberately
buries himself in Jeremy Taylor, and
the thought and expression of centuries
agone, and then coming forth from the
musty tomb with empty platitudes on
life and death, thinks to show valid
claim upon the attention and support of
apractical age and people, impatiently
waiting the word which shall be help
full in the doing of their business and
the living of their intensely practical
life, he will find himself left alone. He
answers no felt need, and the people,
therefore, have no use for him. Dead
thoughts have no more value in the
mind of the masses, than have dead
dogs as guardians of a sheepfold. The
fact that a minister, old or young, can
not have a pulpit and support, tells
story of inefficiency in meeting the de-
mands of the hour that no complaints
can entirely conceal.
Again, that is an exceptional case in
which either clergy or Divinity School
settle particular man over particu-
lar people. Protestants are jealous of